Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 25:1-2 (New Living Translation)

1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them.

This is the second time that I write a post on these two verses. This time, I have to ask a question. Note the last sentence:

Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them.

Does this imply that they were not to accept contributions from all whose hearts were not moved to offer them? Was Moses to know who was giving from the heart and who was giving from some other motive? After all, Moses was given special insight into God’s will. Perhaps he could know what was in the hearts of men.

Should we do anything of the sort today? Some churches accept money from other organizations. Are the hearts of these other organizations right? Are they right enough for us?

Can God use the gifts of the unloving? I think so. Should we use the gifts of the unloving? I don’t know.